Josh Fisher’s story, as narrated through our recent podcast, reflects the significant moments when he set things aside in his life, only to find new opportunities or pathways emerging in their place. Similarly, Tim’s reflection video led me back to a question that a friend recently invited me to consider:

“What do I know to be true, but live like I do not know?”
​​​​​​​In other words – “what truths do I believe but fail to live by?”

The more I ponder this, the more I realize the power of this question to deepen my self-awareness as a leader – and as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. As I consider Josh’s story, my response to this question goes something like this:

“I know from Josh’s experiences – and from my own – that the ending of something in my life and leadership, although challenging, creates opportunities for new pathways and growth that are often beyond what I could ever imagine. Yet, I live as though I do not know.”

How do I live as though I don’t know?

• By perceiving the ending of something I’ve invested time and energy in is somehow a failure.
• By continuing down a path when all signs indicate it’s time—or even past time—to stop.
• By clinging to what’s comfortable and familiar, choosing the path of least resistance.
• By allowing the “certainty “of my current situation to prevail over the “uncertainty “of what lies beyond the ending or letting go.

Josh’s story illustrates the power of embracing moments of “pivot” (of laying something down in our lives) and of recognizing, as he did, that each ending carries the potential for new beginnings.

Whether it was setting aside college swimming to later discover triathlons, moving from triathlons to aviation and becoming an Angel Flight pilot, or transitioning from a career in finance to leading his family’s business as a third-generation owner – in each case, the letting go emptied Josh’s hands, allowing him to pick up something beyond what he could have ever imagined.

At North Group, our mission is “to develop leaders and organizations toward their highest potential.”  In his book, Necessary Endings, Henry Cloud reminds us that pivots and endings are essential for the growth and success of every leader and every organization:

“Endings are not only part of life; they are a requirement for living and thriving, professionally and personally. Being alive requires that we sometimes kill off things in which we were once invested, uproot what we previously nurtured, and tear down what we built for an earlier time. . . . Getting to the next level always requires ending something, leaving it behind, and moving on. Growth itself demands that we move on.”

Can we embrace the powerful opportunities that accompany endings and pivots – not just knowing the truth of Cloud’s statement – but living and leading like we do?

Written by Brian Black

You can find Parts 1 and 2 of Josh Fisher’s story series linked below:

• Part 1 – Navigating Life’s Turbulence (Podcast with Daryl Leisey & Josh Fisher)
• Part 2 – From Family Business to Flying with Purpose (Video with Tim Heist)